Drama, Theatre and Performance (Placement Year)

BA Hons

  • UCAS code W441
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements ABB
  • Duration Full time 4 years

We welcome applications from the United States of America

We've put together information and resources to guide your application journey as a student from the United States of America.

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 4

    4th for Drama

    The Complete University Guide (2025)

  • 8

    8th for graduate prospects (Drama)

    The Complete University Guide (2025)

  • Joint 4th for student experience (Drama) The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025)

Why Lancaster?

  • Study cutting-edge contemporary theatre and discover how you can make a real difference in society through performance
  • Benefit from our close relationship with leading creative and cultural organisations such as Lancaster Arts, the Dukes Theatre and leading professional theatre companies
  • Graduate from a top university with a CV packed with practical experience
  • Perform in group-devised projects each year, leading up to our final degree show
  • Learn in a department with 100% student satisfaction for two years running in the National Student Survey (2021 and 2022)

We believe that theatre is more than an art form. It can make a difference to society, influence people and help to create change. We equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to be ground-breaking practitioners, and they go on to exciting careers within the creative and cultural industries.

Theatre for a changing world

We teach drama with a focus on experimental 20th and 21st-century theatre and performance. Through practical and theoretical investigation, you’ll gain knowledge of many modes of acting and theatre production.

The ability to choose from a wide range of modules – from Theatre for Social Change, Community Theatre and Visual Theatre to Performing Texts and Environmental Performance – makes this a really flexible degree.

Your degree is based in the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts, and in this rich creative environment you can focus solely on theatre or take the opportunity to combine with modules in art, film or related subject areas.

You will be taught by professional theatre practitioners and top academics, and benefit from their links to leading creative and cultural organisations.

Our Creative Enterprise module allows you to work on a live project to deliver a creative arts initiative in the community. This kind of experience is great for your personal development and your CV.

Flexibility

In the first year, there is a focus on increasing your knowledge and skills in your major degree subject. You will also have the option to complement your degree studies with a module in a 'minor subject'. Please contact the department for further details.

Careers

Developing your professional skills is at the core of our course, and our drama graduates are highly sought after. The subject provides critical and creative skills that open up possibilities for working in theatre, but in many different sectors too.

Our graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers within the theatre as:

  • Performers
  • Directors
  • Dramaturgs
  • Writers
  • Producers
  • Technicians
  • Administrators
  • Theatre facilitators

A significant number of our graduates go on to set up their own theatre companies or small businesses. Others are working in television, film, digital media, community arts and drama, journalism, publishing, teaching and social work. They work for charities, NGOs and international organisations.

Many of our students take their exploration of drama to the next level by continuing with postgraduate studies.

Whatever option you choose, our Careers and Employability Service will be on hand to offer advice and guidance throughout your journey.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring that you gain a highly reputable degree. We are also dedicated to ensuring that you graduate with relevant life and work-based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award, which offers you the opportunity to complete activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development.

Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level ABB

Required Subjects Theatre, Drama, Dance or Performance are considered desirable but applications from those studying other subjects who can demonstrate experience and interest in practical theatre are welcomed

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Merit

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

core modules accordion

Core

core modules accordion

Optional

optional modules accordion

Core

core modules accordion

Core

core modules accordion

Optional

optional modules accordion

Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,535 £24,700

Fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

Scheme Based on Amount
Based on {{item.eligibility_basis}} Amount {{item.amount}}

We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

  • Virtual tour

    Take five minutes and let us show you what Lancaster has to offer, from our beautiful green campus to our colleges, teaching and sports facilities.

  • Accommodation guide

    Most first-year undergraduate students choose to live on campus, where you’ll find accommodation to suit different preferences and budgets.

  • The city and beyond

    Our historic city is student-friendly and home to a diverse and welcoming community. Beyond the city you'll find a stunning coastline and the picturesque Lake District.